Sunday, 9:00 AM. St. Mary's Cathedral.
Sofia arrived for prayer and Mass, exactly like always.
As devout Catholic, Sofia maintained hyper-focus during religious rituals.
But events of past two days left her completely unsettled.
Stepson suddenly murdered. Husband hospitalized with stroke, completely incapacitated. These events violently upended Sofia's life.
Worse, over past two days at home, Sofia constantly felt eyes on her. Peeping grew increasingly brazen, making her feel incredibly suffocated.
Conveniently Sunday, so Sofia hurried to St. Mary's Cathedral, escorted by two Bonanno family bodyguards.
Seemed only in God's presence could Sofia find momentary peace.
Given family crisis, Sofia barely dressed up. But even wearing plain clothes and zero makeup, she couldn't hide mature woman's alluring charm.
Add in that vulnerable, melancholic vibe, and she drew even more male attention.
Yeah, if not for two vicious-looking men in black suits trailing her, dark-haired woman definitely would have been hit on constantly.
Realizing two goons were massive eyesore, Sofia gave them order before entering church.
"You two wait at door."
Two mobsters frowned.
"Mrs. Bonanno, Mr. Ricci ordered us to protect you. We can't leave your side!"
"This is God's house. What danger could I be in? Wait here!"
Sofia's attitude left zero room for argument. Mobsters exchanged look, ultimately deciding not to force their way inside.
After all, when dust settled, few casual words from Sofia could completely dictate their fates.
Sofia knelt before crucifix, praying devoutly. But honestly, she had absolutely no idea what she was praying for.
Faith became her anchor, acting as safe harbor when she felt anxious and lost.
However, boats can't stay docked forever. Eventually got to sail.
After finishing prayer, Sofia felt slightly calmer. Dropped few large bills into donation box and prepared to leave church.
Passing confessional booth, Sofia suddenly heard young voice coming from inside.
"Ma'am, you seem somewhat lost."
That single sentence successfully stopped Sofia in her tracks.
Confessional booth is small room in Catholic churches where believers confess sins to priest and seek penance.
After hearing confession, priest grants absolution. Believer and priest can't see each other.
Probably designed to protect priest. If murderer confesses, priest absolves him for God, but secular world absolutely doesn't forgive murderer. Things would get highly awkward for priest.
Nowadays, seems only Catholics still use confessionals.
Protestant doctrine states every believer can communicate directly with God for repentance. No need for middleman.
Sofia felt young voice carried strange magic, making her subconsciously step inside confessional and sit down.
Through special screen, Sofia looked across and faintly made out young face.
Having such young priest handling confessions felt weird, but Sofia didn't overthink it.
"Father, I really am lost."
"Then under God's watch, speak your confusion. I believe merciful God will offer guidance."
Young priest's voice carried incredibly reassuring power, compelling Sofia to spill her story.
"Father, I used to have perfect family. Parents who loved me. But that beautiful life was completely destroyed ten years ago!"
"Ma'am, what happened?"
Sofia took several deep breaths before continuing. Clearly, recalling these painful memories was absolute torture.
"At party, that demon set his sights on me. Wanted me as his wife. I didn't want to marry old man, so I refused. As a result..."
Sofia choked back sobs.
"He set trap, putting my father in massive debt. Forced my dad to hang himself. Mom fell severely ill from shock. To pay her medical bills, I had no choice but to marry that demon."
"But mom passed away shortly after anyway. Since then, I became caged canary. Completely lost my freedom."
Sofia finally broke down crying. Kept emotions buried way too long. Inside Bonanno estate, she couldn't show real feelings. This was rare moment in entire decade she spoke her absolute truth.
"You didn't choose to fight back?"
Young priest's question angered Sofia slightly.
"I'm just a woman. What could I do?"
"Hehe. Woman's destructive power is no less than man's. Especially beautiful woman."
Sofia fell silent. Understood young priest's point, but she was just regular woman with soft personality. Just happened to be incredibly gorgeous.
If Sofia was actually tough, maybe Old Martin wouldn't have lived long enough to get stroke.
"Maybe you're right. But it's too late. That demon is hospitalized. Can't do evil anymore."
"No, no, no! Rare canary doesn't gain freedom just because original owner dies. New owner steps up to control canary until it completely loses its shine."
Sofia's eyes went wide. Suddenly remembered Francis's weird gaze recently, and constant feeling of being watched in estate.
"N-no way, right?"
"Ma'am, never underestimate human depravity!"
Young priest's words threw Sofia's mind into absolute chaos. At same time, she felt something was off.
Because legit priest definitely wouldn't say shit like that.
Right then, someone suddenly barged into young priest's side of booth.
"Who are you? Why are you in confessional?"
"Uh, I'm new priest handling confessions."
"Total bullshit! I've never seen you! And I'm priest in charge of confessions!"
With that, two men on other side started shoving each other.
Situation completely smoothed out wrinkles in Sofia's brain cortex. She quickly exited confessional, only to see older priest grappling with incredibly handsome young Asian guy.
"Hey! Don't pull my suit! It's tailored and fucking expensive!"
"You blasphemous bastard, get the hell out!"
"Stop! I'm willing to use something to resolve this misunderstanding!"